Sexual Identities and Sexuality in Social Work: Research and Reflections from Women in the Field

by Priscilla Dunk-West, Trish Hafford-Letchfield, Lucy Jordan, Patrick O'Leary

Overview

This collection aims to address the marginalization and under-theorization of sexuality and sexual identity in social work research and practice. Its starting point is that sexuality is a key aspect of individual identity, that service users must be able to express their sexuality, and that it is essential for social workers to be able to respond to and discuss sexual issues appropriately. The volume contains both empirical and reflective pieces from women immersed in various social work settings.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781409492948
Publisher:	Ashgate Publishing Ltd
Publication date:	12/28/2012
Series:	Contemporary Social Work Studies
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Dr Priscilla Dunk-West is a sociologist and social worker. She has held a number of academic appointments in England and Australia. The nexus between social work and sociology is a continued source of interest and her research involves understanding the sexual self, selfhood and identity in late modernity. She is currently senior lecturer in social work at the University of South Australia. Trish Hafford-Letchfield is a senior lecturer and teaching fellow in interprofessional learning at Middlesex University UK. Trish has published extensively in the field of management and organisational development. Her last book was Strategy and Business Planning in Social Care (2010) published by Jessica Kingsley. She has a particular interest in researching issues around teaching and learning in relation to sexualities and completed a Doctorate which examined the lifelong learning of older people using social care.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Sexualities and Sexual Identities in Social Work, Priscilla Dunk-West, Trish Hafford-Letchfield; Chapter 1 Sexuality and Women in Care Organizations: Negotiating Boundaries within a Gendered Cultural Script, Trish Hafford-Letchfield; Chapter 2 ‘A Chance to Cut is a Chance to Cure’ 1 The title of a 2001 Matmos album (Matador Records), which sampled sounds from surgical procedures. : Self-harm and Self-protection – A Gay Perspective 2 This paper is written in a personal capacity and does not necessarily represent the views of the Social Care Institute for Excellence., Sarah Carr; Chapter 3 Researching Sexuality and Ageing, Rhiannon Jones; Chapter 4 ) was used to elicit material for this chapter. Though the chapter is co-written, the first person narrative was chosen to highlight that the material discussed is drawn from Michelle Brown’s practice in sexual health. An auto-ethnographic methodology (see ) was used to elicit material for this chapter. Though the chapter is co-written, the first person narrative was chosen to highlight that the material discussed is drawn from Michelle Brown’s practice in sexual health., Michelle Brown, Priscilla Dunk-West; Chapter 5 Growing up with a Lesbian or Gay Parent: Young People’s Perspectives, Anna Fairtlough; Chapter 6 Have you Heard? … Reflections on the Kerr/Haslam Inquiry, Jeanette Copperman; Chapter 7 The Assessment of Lesbian and Gay Prospective Foster Carers: Twenty Years of Practice and What has Changed?, Helen Cosis Brown; Chapter 8 What is Personal? Reflecting on Heterosexuality, Joy Trotter; Chapter 9 Sexuality before Ability? The Assessment of Lesbians as Adopters, Christine Cocker; Chapter 10 Identity, Emotion Work and Reflective Practice: Dealing with Sexuality, Race and Religion in the Classroom, Cathy Patni; Chapter 11 Everyday Sexuality and Identity: De-differentiating the Sexual Self in Social Work, Priscilla Dunk-West;

Editorial Reviews

'An ambitious project successfully realised, Sexual Identities and Sexuality in Social Work is theoretically rich, practice relevant and in the tradition of a social work that pushes boundaries and taken for granted understandings.' Fiona Verity, Flinders University, Australia 'This book examines the pleasures and perils of social and personal categories concerned with sexuality, gender and race. It offers a detailed and grounded consideration of social work theory and research related to questions of sexuality across a range of practice fields, and is a welcome addition to the literature.' Stephen Hicks, University of Salford , UK

From the Publisher